Opinion

A snowboarder makes his way through the snow at Eaglecrest Ski Area earlier this month. The City and Borough of Juneau-owned and operated ski area has received snowfall each of the past 30 days. (Courtesy Photo | Jeremy Lavendar)

Opinion: Stay safe out there

High peaks, low infection rates.

  • Apr 17, 2020
A snowboarder makes his way through the snow at Eaglecrest Ski Area earlier this month. The City and Borough of Juneau-owned and operated ski area has received snowfall each of the past 30 days. (Courtesy Photo | Jeremy Lavendar)
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Pick priorities, not winners and losers, to plug our budget gap

The Assembly must make some hard choices.

  • Apr 16, 2020
  • By Win Gruening For the Juneau Empire
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
The ferry Columbia sails through Lynn Canal on Monday, April 29, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: We’re committed to the Alaska Marine Highway System

“The governor and I are committed to the Marine Highway’s success.”

  • Apr 16, 2020
The ferry Columbia sails through Lynn Canal on Monday, April 29, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes his presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center in August 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Building community, contribution and care in the time of COVID-19

I am proud to be a part of a university system that serves our communities and our state.

  • Apr 15, 2020
  • By Jim Johnsen
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes his presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center in August 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Bristol Bay is focused on local health and safety – not mine permitting

Spring is always a busy time in Bristol Bay, but the coronavirus pandemic has brought meaning to the phrase “over scheduled.” Even as the daylight… Continue reading

  • Apr 14, 2020
  • By Courtenay Carty
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We must demand that the Roadless Rule is upheld

It is a mistake to trade portions of the world’s last remaining pristine temperate rainforest.

  • Apr 14, 2020
  • By Duncan Kowalski
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: City should suspend rent and mortgage collection

When the pandemic ends, many of our neighbors will be expected to survive without employment,

  • Apr 14, 2020
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: New stimulus bill should include the Postal Service

Opinion: New stimulus bill should include the Postal Service

There’s a bill in House of Representatives to do just that.

  • Apr 13, 2020
Opinion: New stimulus bill should include the Postal Service
A section of logging road on Kupreanof Island. Sections of already constructed road would be connected with new ones to create a road spanning the island. (Courtesy photo | Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Opinion:$40M road to nowhere is a waste of money

“It is a colossal and shameful waste of public funds.”

  • Apr 13, 2020
  • Rebecca Knight
A section of logging road on Kupreanof Island. Sections of already constructed road would be connected with new ones to create a road spanning the island. (Courtesy photo | Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Opinion: Political stereotyping leads to an inglorious end

Opinion: Political stereotyping leads to an inglorious end

Arguing all Republicans are incapable of governing is like saying all Democrats are socialists.

  • Apr 10, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak For the Juneau Empire
Opinion: Political stereotyping leads to an inglorious end
Opinion: It’s important to protect DACA during the pandemic

Opinion: It’s important to protect DACA during the pandemic

We must demand that Trump automatically renew DACA permits for all whose permits are expiring.

  • Apr 9, 2020
  • By Sara Buckingham
Opinion: It’s important to protect DACA during the pandemic
Opinion: Appreciate the people and moments that make up your life

Opinion: Appreciate the people and moments that make up your life

Our reality has been turned upside down as COVID-19 restrictions have changed our everyday lives.

  • Apr 8, 2020
Opinion: Appreciate the people and moments that make up your life
Opinion: Why I’m wearing a mask

Opinion: Why I’m wearing a mask

Let’s just wear masks as a gesture of solidarity and concern for all members of our community.

  • Apr 7, 2020
Opinion: Why I’m wearing a mask
Opinion: Is this what ‘Energy Dominance’ looks like?

Opinion: Is this what ‘Energy Dominance’ looks like?

Alaska’s economy has been in a hole since oil prices collapsed in 2014. Now, with Alaska North Slope crude selling at about $25 per barrel,… Continue reading

  • Apr 7, 2020
  • By Zachary Brown
Opinion: Is this what ‘Energy Dominance’ looks like?
Opinion: Streaming government meetings is a silver lining

Opinion: Streaming government meetings is a silver lining

Government works best when scrutinized by an engaged body politic.

  • Apr 6, 2020
Opinion: Streaming government meetings is a silver lining
Opinion: How Pence failed America

Opinion: How Pence failed America

Imagine how different the White House response would have if this happened three years earlier.

  • Apr 4, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak For the Juneau Empire
Opinion: How Pence failed America
The Alaska State Capitol Building as seen Jan. 9, 2015 in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: A danger we face is this crisis making us more dependent on government

“Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program,” said Milton Friedman.

  • Apr 2, 2020
  • By Win Gruening For the Juneau Empire
The Alaska State Capitol Building as seen Jan. 9, 2015 in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Opinion: It is when we are challenged that we reveal our true self
Opinion: It is when we are challenged that we reveal our true self
Juneau’s City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Juneau’s past offers lesson for handling COVID-19

“It ain’t over till it’s over.”

  • Mar 31, 2020
  • By Bruce Botelho, Byron Mallott, Dennis Egan, Sally Smith, Mary Becker and Merrill Sanford
Juneau’s City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Stand up for our parade

Recently my “techno gal” out of Anchorage who seems to have a finger on the pulse of news in Juneau shared that the people who… Continue reading

  • Mar 29, 2020
Juneau Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)